02/06/2016 World News Today

This is BBC World News Today with me, Geeta Guru-Murthy.

Flooding across much of France and Germany

France declares a state of natural disaster in the worst hit areas,

and the world most visited museum, the Louvre is closed.

This is what the heavy rains have done here in this French town. The

river has burst its banks. All the homes on one side of the river -- on

the side of the river have been flooded. The people have been

rescued. The authorities have declared this town to be in a state

of red alert. The German Parliament says the mass

killing of Armenians by Ottoman Turks a century ago

was genocide - Turkey withdraws its ambassador in protest -

how will this further strain ties The world's greatest footballer

Lionel Messi tells judges at his trial for tax fraud

that he knew nothing Now imagine this -

taking your baby home from hospital, only to find that it's

the wrong one. We meet the family whose son was

swapped at birth in El Salvador. Western Europe is being pummelled

by appalling weather, with some areas experiencing once

in a hundred year floods. At least nine people have died

and several more are missing, while thousands more

have been displaced. The floods have prompted mass

evacuations in parts French President Francois Hollande

has confirmed some of the worst affected areas in France will be

declared natural disaster zones - opening the door for much

needed relief funding. The town of Nemours,

to the south of Paris had The bodies of at least five people

have been found in the Bavarian town of Simbach am Inn, where

more than 300 schoolchildren Meanwhile Paris's most

celebrated museum, The Louvre, has closed to the public as rising

waters from the Seine threaten Staff have been preparing to move

some of the gallery's There have also been 8,000 rescue

operations over two days between the Belgian border

and the Burgundy region. The floods hit suddenly. This town

in Bavaria was hit. The residents barely had time to react.

TRANSLATION: We had any to -- barely any time to

react. We saved ourselves by going into the attic and waved cloth. My

grandson went onto the roof and the helicopter reacted. Thousands of

homes have lost power. The authorities are trying to account

for everyone. TRANSLATION:

Adenomas, we have people missing in this town.

We cannot give you exact amounts because they are constantly

changing. The town across in France is dealing with similar scenes. This

is what the rain has done in the city of Nemours. The river has burst

its banks and all the homes on the side of the river have been flooded.

The people have been rescued and the authorities have declared this town

in a state of red alert. The centre of Nemours is underwater. The best

way to get from one part to another is by canoe. One group of evacuees

was taken across by truck. And in central Paris, the river Seine has

risen dramatically. The museum the Louvre has taken the decision to

remove artwork from its underground storerooms.

Turkey has recalled its ambassador to Berlin after a vote by Germany's

parliament to declare as genodice the mass killings of Armenians

The row comes at a time when Germany is relying on Turkey to stem

Armenia says more than one million Armenians were murdered

Turkey disputes the figures and rejects the term genocide.

Damien McGuinness reports from Berlin.

It has been a day of commemoration for Armenians

as the parliament in Berlin recognise as genocide the

mass killings of their ancestors a century ago by Ottoman Turks.

is the proof that it will never be forgotten if one commits

Support for the resolution was overwhelming.

Just one vote against and one abstention.

A sign of just how popular the move is with German voters.

It is seen as a human rights issue here but also part of

In 1915, Germany was an ally of the Ottoman Empire and many of the

speeches in Parliament today focused on German

But the German government's move is controversial in Turkey

where the killings are widely seen as part

of the fighting during the

break-up of the Ottoman Empire, not genocide.

TRANSLATION: Nobody other than historians should discuss genocide.

This isn't something you decide in Parliament.

But if they say this is genocide, what they have been inflicting on

the Turks for years would be the biggest genocide.

Even today, there are people committing genocide in Myanmar.

That is the worst kind of genocide, and no one even talks

If you look at what Hitler did in Germany, what

But of course, that would be if we had

Turkey's political leaders are now warning that the issue will

heighten tensions between Germany and Turkey at a particularly

sensitive time when the unique Turkish help to solve

TRANSLATION: I've just had a telephone call

As a result of this, Al, decision is to recall

This is in order to hold some consultation

The resolution made by the German parliament will seriously

affect relationships between our countries.

After I go back to Turkey, we will also evaluate this

issue and we will take necessary steps.

For German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, the timing could

Her allies in Berlin hope that because Turkey also wants to

make the migrant deal work, that this

explosive issue won't get in the way.

I want to make clear in the presence of the Secretary General of Nato

that there is a lot that binds Germany to Turkey.

And even if we have a difference of opinion on an

individual matter, the breadth of our links, our friendship and our

Starting with defence issues and many other issues.

And last but not least, the 3 million Turkish

Germany is home to 3.5 million people with a Turkish immigrant

background, some of whom have been demonstrating against recognising

The worry is that the issue could also create tensions

not just between Berlin and Ankara, but also within

Germany's vote follows similar resolutions in France,

So how is it likely to influence Turkey's relations with Germany

Joining me from Washington is Nelli Babayan.

She is with the German Marshall Fund of the United States.

Thanks for joining us. The timing is extraordinary. Why was it put before

Parliament at this moment, given what else is going on? In terms of

the migrant deal and so on. It was a strong symbolic gesture and it may

serve as an example for other states. Germany has come to terms

with its past and recognise its behaviour and it is part of

reconsideration and progress in international relations. The

resolution does not condemn the Turkish people or the current

government. And this post was originally scheduled for last year

but was put on ice due to Germany's coalition apparently due to worries

about annoying the Turkish generations. Turkey decided to

recall its ambassador but they did the same when France recognise the

genocide and Russia. But history shows they send back the ambassadors

after a few weeks. So do you think this will affect the long-term

relationships between Germany and Turkey, or not? I think the answer

would be that it will not affect the relations. Because of course Germany

and the European Union benefit from the refugee deal but Ankara also

benefits from that deal. It receives additional funding from the European

Union and it may receive Visa free travel and eventual European union

membership. It will not have strained relations with Germany. If

it is rational. But people feel these things on an emotional level.

Obviously, all sides who are involved in this and this is a very

fragile moment, it could not just affect Germany's relations with

Turkey but also the wider EU relations, with the Brexit vote here

in Britain and Turkish freedom of movement throughout the continent,

it is a potent question. And also a reminder of previous trains between

Muslims and Christians. I wouldn't go that far to say this is a drain

between Muslims and Christians. It may slightly strain German- Turkish

relations, but I don't think it will strain relations with the European

Union and the representatives of the EU today said that they will work

with Turkey based on the march agreement of the refugee deal and

this is a symbolic gesture by the German parliament. It does not

condemn neither the Turkish people nor the Turkish government. Thank

you very much. Now a look at some of

the day's other news. A court in India's Gujarat state has

convicted 24 people over The incident at the Gulbarg housing

complex, happened during weeks of the inter-communal riots

in Gujarat, that saw more India's Hindu nationalist Prime

Minister, Narendra Modi, led Gujarat at the time

of the riots. He has denied persistent allegations

that he condoned the violence. In France, rail strikes over

the government's proposed labour reforms have continued

for a third day. Fears of complete transport chaos

eased when air traffic controllers called off a walkout and a subway

strike in Paris France is hosting the Euro 2016

football championship later this month where millions of fans

are expected to attend matches. A study has found a strong link

between a man's waist size and his chances

of developing prostate cancer. Researchers say men are more at risk

if they measure at least 37 inches That's about 94 centimetres -

which is the average in the UK. Football star Lionel Messi has

appeared in court in Barcelona today The Barcelona and Argentina player

is accused of having hidden money from the Spanish authorities

by using tax havens Lionel Messi is accused of having

knowingly avoided paying over $4.5 million in taxes relating to money

earned from his image rights between The money in question was sent

abroad to countries such as Belize and Uruguay,

meaning the Spanish authorities The player appeared in court

alongside his father, Jorge, who has handled his finances

in the past and is also Lionel Messi has already

paid back the money to the Spanish Treasury

as well as a fine. However, he has insisted

he did not realise he was doing something illegal

and it was his father This trial will decide

whether or not the Argentine forward, who recently won

the Spanish league and cup titles with Barcelona,

consciously broke the law If found guilty, the five-time world

Player of the Year could face a 22-month prison sentence

although he would not be expected to serve it, given that it

would be a first offence. The German Chancellor Angela Merkel

says Britain will have a better deal if it can wield power,

and influence, from within the European Union,

rather than from outside. Speaking at a press conference

in Berlin, she said it was obviously up to the people of Britain

to decide whether to remain But she pointed out that London

needed to be at the negotiating table, helping to make the rules,

if it wanted to get the full TRANSLATION: I believe that

when we sit together within the European Union,

all the different national states, the UK and all the others,

can input what is important to them So it is much easier to negotiate

with them than from without. Staying with the EU referendum,

a group of more than 140 prominent Europeans have signed

what they describe as a "love letter" to the British people to try

and persuade them to vote to remain part of

the European Union. The signatories include scientists,

sports stars, actors, They said it certainly isn't a

manifesto Oriole look lecture -- or a lecture. They are calling it a

love letter. Signatories include football manager Arsene Wenger,

actress Isabella Rossellini, and a member of the pop group ABBA. They

say they respect the right of the British people to decide whether to

stay or leave the EU, but they stressed they are bonded to the UK

not just by treaties but by admiration and affection. Will

Britain decide to cut its ties with the European Union? You'll just have

to wait until 24th of June to find out.

Our political correspondent Rob Watson joins me now.

Who is on this list and is anyone going to pay any attention to them?

I'm not going to saying. Let me deal with Angela Merkel while we're doing

with European interventions. One wondered if she was going to

interfere, and does this indicate a certain nervousness in Berlin? But

onto the letter, I never thought I would use this word "Sweet" in the

context of the European referendum but this does seem a rather sweet

letter. One of the signatories is Raymonde blog, -- Raymond blanc, who

started his first restaurant near where I'm sitting now. I will say

one thing about the intervention from Europe and the letter. I

suspect that this letter reminds people that the debate isn't just

about immigration and economic, there is an element of the human

bond but I suspect that it reaches out to people who have already made

up their minds to stay. I suppose it may have some effect on the fringes.

But for those who have really made up their minds the other way, to

leave, they are more worried about the hundred and 50,000 net migration

from Europe than the 150 people who have written the letter. It is

interesting who is also on board, the RSPB got on board, saying that

they felt nature benefited by Britain staying in the EU. They

remain camped -- the Remain campaign have had a big push on immigration

this week. The two campaigns, they have focused on their core messages.

The Leave campaign has focused rain much on immigration -- has focused

very much on immigration. And as you would imagine, those championing the

cause of stay keep going on about the economic, saying come on, it

would be absolutely crazy to leave the single market. And I think you

will hear more and more of that and a bit less of the love letter 's and

the RSPB and any other animals in the three weeks to come. Expect lots

and lots on immigration and lots and lots on the economy and not much

singing. And the BBC asking Boris Johnson, who is spearheading the

Leave campaign, that he seems to be setting out an alternative set of

ideas and policies, lots of people saying obviously if David Cameron

loses this vote, he is out and borrowers could be the next British

Prime Minister. A lot hinges -- and Boris Johnson could be the next

British Prime Minister. In lot hinges on this boat. Yes, you could

say that David Cameron is treading a fine line between triumph if he wins

this referendum as well as the one on Scotland, as well as disaster.

Britain Mace is a big choice, we have faced a choice like this since

1975, the last referendum. But alongside that is this huge

political turmoil that could follow a vote to leave or possibly a vote

to stay. So it is not just about Europe, it is about domestic

politics and an enormous amount of stake there. That is why everybody

is trying to stay -- everybody is getting heated, we will try to stay

calm! A British father and his wife

who were given the wrong baby by a hospital in El Salvador have

finally been allowed to return home Richard Cushworth,

who lives in America, and his Salvadoran wife Mercy,

had DNA tests carried out to prove the child they were given

last May wasn't theirs. Now, a year later they've finally

got a birth certificate It was only when they landed

in Dallas that it sank in. A year after their son had been

taken from them, nine months after they had been reunited,

they were finally back home We are overwhelmed,

we are happy, we feel safe. She had given birth in her native

El Salvador to this child but he was taken to the hospital

nursery and the next day the wrong The child did not look like them

and four months later she took It was impossible

that that was your son? Impossible.

0.0%. And how did you feel at

that moment? The thought that the baby I had been

nursing, taking care of, loving him, bathing him,

that he was not mine. Then I had another thought

which came with it - He was in El Salvador

with another family. The children were

switched back last year. It has taken the Cushworths

since then to get Moses' birth Taking nine months to get paperwork

for this child has been probably the most painful part

of the entire process. It has forced our families to be

separated for nine months. It has almost bankrupted us

financially. They still want answers as to why

the babies were swapped US media is reporting that tests

show the singer Prince died The 57-year-old was found

dead in April at his The day before his death Prince had

sought help from a specialist doctor The official autopsy and toxicology

results are yet to be made public. A dagger buried alongside the mummy

of Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun was made with iron that came

from a meteorite, The weapon was one of a pair

of daggers discovered by British archaeologist Howard Carter in 1925,

but the origin of its unrusted iron blade has baffled scientists,

because such metalwork Dr Joyce Tyldesley is

an expert in Egyptology Thanks very much for joining us. How

do they know that this was from a meteorite? By testing the content of

the iron, we can see it is very rich in nickel. I'm from meteorites is

rich in nickel so that shows it is from a meteorite rather than from

terrestrial iron. There is terrestrial iron in Egypt, but at

this point it was not being used at all. And how significant is this

finding? It is interesting, because we have always wondered about this

dagger. There are other iron objects in Tutankhamen's two, and they are

not very well made and very small. This is beautiful and very well

made. If it had not been made in Egypt, it could have been made by

people outside Egypt and sent to him as a gift or even to his

grandfather. We know from diplomatic correspondent at the time that his

grandfather was sent a beautiful dagger. There is a lot of mystery

around the death of Jews in common. I have visited the extraordinary

sight -- of Tutankhamen. I have visited the extraordinary Cyril

site. And as -- the extraordinary sight where he is buried. They were

from iron from the sky and they believed it was some sort of message

from the gods. They also believed in the Egyptian history at some point

that the bones of the gods were made from metal so maybe this metal was

connected to a God, maybe the got Seth. It would have been very

precious material and also a religious material and also

practical because it was a cutting-edge. To have these so close

to Tutankhamen, in sizes bandaging, maybe it is there because it is an

heirloom and very valuable, but also it could be because it was very

valuable -- used in his mummification. Thank you very much.

The final design for a plastic ?5 note has been unveiled

It features Britain's war-time Prime Minister Winston Churchill,

and will go into circulation in September.

For the first time, the notes will be made of plastic,

The Bank says the plastic banknotes will be cleaner and more durable,

and harder to counterfeit than the current paper notes.

It does admit that they may initially be prone

I wonder if we will be talking about that for as long as Tutankhamen's

dagger. We have a lot more in the next 30 minutes. We will be going to

the United States. Hillary Clinton,

the Democratic Party's frontrunner for the presidential nomination,

is about to make what's been billed as a major speech on foreign policy

at a rally in San Diego, We'll be bringing you that live

on BBC World, so stay with us. Hello, as has been the case

so often in recent days,